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Lies I Taught in Medical School: How Conventional Medicine Is Making You Sicker and What You Can Do to Save Your Own Life
Modern medicine is lying to you. Discover the true science behind chronic diseases—and implement an actionable plan to restore your health and longevity once and for all.
For the first time in history, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity plague our population on a global scale. From a seasoned physician, this paradigm-shifting book comprehensively explains the linked cause and exposes the misconceptions prevalent in modern medicine.
In Lies I Taught in Medical School, Robert Lufkin, MD, explains that metabolic dysfunction is the common underlying cause of most chronic diseases that has been overlooked for decades, providing the tools needed to prevent and reverse them in ourselves. He draws on expansive, peer-reviewed evidence, proving that standard medical recommendations are killing us.
Over the course of 12 illustrated chapters, Lies I Taught in Medical School chronicles how Dr. Lufkin reversed four chronic diseases in himself and expertly supplies the strategies needed
Reduce chronic disease risk factors, such as inflammation and insulin resistanceStabilize mental health via nutrition and lifestyle Improve diet and metabolismTreat obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular and other common chronic diseasesGet off unnecessary medications, including many diabetes and hypertension drugs
What’s more, Dr. Lufkin offers practical advice to show how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management can target the fundamental cause of chronic diseases. Lies I Taught in Medical School is a revolutionary and holistic guide that will help you take control of your health—before it’s too late.
For the first time in history, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity plague our population on a global scale. From a seasoned physician, this paradigm-shifting book comprehensively explains the linked cause and exposes the misconceptions prevalent in modern medicine.
In Lies I Taught in Medical School, Robert Lufkin, MD, explains that metabolic dysfunction is the common underlying cause of most chronic diseases that has been overlooked for decades, providing the tools needed to prevent and reverse them in ourselves. He draws on expansive, peer-reviewed evidence, proving that standard medical recommendations are killing us.
Over the course of 12 illustrated chapters, Lies I Taught in Medical School chronicles how Dr. Lufkin reversed four chronic diseases in himself and expertly supplies the strategies needed
Reduce chronic disease risk factors, such as inflammation and insulin resistanceStabilize mental health via nutrition and lifestyle Improve diet and metabolismTreat obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular and other common chronic diseasesGet off unnecessary medications, including many diabetes and hypertension drugs
What’s more, Dr. Lufkin offers practical advice to show how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management can target the fundamental cause of chronic diseases. Lies I Taught in Medical School is a revolutionary and holistic guide that will help you take control of your health—before it’s too late.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
661 people are currently reading
4950 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
June 18, 2024
Unfortunately, this book doesn't discover America, it's basically a very long advertisement for keto diet and intermittent fasting you can learn about from tons of free articles and youtube. With a bit of wink towards paleo diet - he didn't exactly recommend it, but claimed hunter-gatherer societies had a better diet and quality of life than agricultural societies.
Oh yes, I'd love to have my diet consist only of healthy biological natural foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, non-processed meat and dairy. Who has money for that?
If we look at obesity statistics, one of the biggest obesity rates is among Latinx Americans who also happen to be the poorest on average segment of the society. Coincidence? I think not.
Yes, the average lifespan is going down, but also the average quality of life, accessibility of healthcare and the level of financial and social security is going down too. Who'd have thought these are related, huh?
This book is a very elaborate way to say "sugar, carbs and junk food are bad, mmkay?" I think everyone knows this already, but we don't have money for healthy food, we don't have time for proper meal prep so we resort to buying ready made junk, and we're likely addicted to the instant gratification the junk food provides (other addiction rates are also going up, just look at opioid addiction for example - addictions are a symptom of unbearability of life, not a cause; volumes were written on causes of addiction, but it's a bit besides the point here).
Yes, we could all do better if we went and touched grass, did yoga and meditation, exercised, took more time off, cooked more natural and healthy meals, slept enough hours and didn't worry and stress. Life will not let us.
Time and time again I pick some advice or self-help book expecting a recipe how to navigate the awfulness of life and time and time again it just tells me captain obvious stuff that's likely preaching to the choir (privileged, financially well off people who can afford all the "self-care" they need).
Thing is, nothing will change, because the problem is systemic - it's the food industry producing cheap, addictive junk food; it's the pharma industry that wants us dependent on lifelong medicine for chronic illnesses; it's the capitalism itself where big corps and conglomerates can block any change that affect their profits negatively, and governments are in their pockets. So vast swathes of population are doomed to be poor, sick, stressed and addicted.
Everyone already knows what's a "healthy lifestyle", people don't follow it because they don't have money, time, energy or circumstances to do so. It's nice someone wrote an elaborate tome explaining why unhealthy lifestyle is unhealthy, but who does this book help exactly? Who benefits from reading it? People who already follow a healthy lifestyle don't need it and people who don't most likely already are feeling guilty for it and don't need another reminder.
Oh yes, I'd love to have my diet consist only of healthy biological natural foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, non-processed meat and dairy. Who has money for that?
If we look at obesity statistics, one of the biggest obesity rates is among Latinx Americans who also happen to be the poorest on average segment of the society. Coincidence? I think not.
Yes, the average lifespan is going down, but also the average quality of life, accessibility of healthcare and the level of financial and social security is going down too. Who'd have thought these are related, huh?
This book is a very elaborate way to say "sugar, carbs and junk food are bad, mmkay?" I think everyone knows this already, but we don't have money for healthy food, we don't have time for proper meal prep so we resort to buying ready made junk, and we're likely addicted to the instant gratification the junk food provides (other addiction rates are also going up, just look at opioid addiction for example - addictions are a symptom of unbearability of life, not a cause; volumes were written on causes of addiction, but it's a bit besides the point here).
Yes, we could all do better if we went and touched grass, did yoga and meditation, exercised, took more time off, cooked more natural and healthy meals, slept enough hours and didn't worry and stress. Life will not let us.
Time and time again I pick some advice or self-help book expecting a recipe how to navigate the awfulness of life and time and time again it just tells me captain obvious stuff that's likely preaching to the choir (privileged, financially well off people who can afford all the "self-care" they need).
Thing is, nothing will change, because the problem is systemic - it's the food industry producing cheap, addictive junk food; it's the pharma industry that wants us dependent on lifelong medicine for chronic illnesses; it's the capitalism itself where big corps and conglomerates can block any change that affect their profits negatively, and governments are in their pockets. So vast swathes of population are doomed to be poor, sick, stressed and addicted.
Everyone already knows what's a "healthy lifestyle", people don't follow it because they don't have money, time, energy or circumstances to do so. It's nice someone wrote an elaborate tome explaining why unhealthy lifestyle is unhealthy, but who does this book help exactly? Who benefits from reading it? People who already follow a healthy lifestyle don't need it and people who don't most likely already are feeling guilty for it and don't need another reminder.
September 23, 2024
40ish years ago I read a couple of nutrition books that changed the way I ate forever (much to the annoyance of my family and friends at the time): Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit, by Adele Davis, and Sugar Blues, by William Duffy. I won’t bore you with the myriad ways they altered my thinking about food and life, but I will say this: I pretty much stopped eating sugar and processed grains after that.
Ever since, I’ve read the occasional health/nutrition book to refresh my memory and refine/update my thoughts. And thus I picked up Lies I Taught in Medical School.
What I really appreciated about this book was all the biochemical information Lufkin provides about how what we eat affects us and potentially causes chronic diseases like diabetes, coronary issues, cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Many of the ideas were not entirely new but were worth hearing again or having reinforced under this new biochemical lens. Essentially, Lufkin says all of the above problems result from excessive sugar/corn syrup/carb intake and that the best way to treat chronic illness and prevent it from happening in the first place is to eat a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb diet. That’s it. Also, to limit the amount of time you eat each day, i.e. to fast, giving your body time to turn off its metabolic processes and to focus instead on cellular healing.
At least that’s my understanding of it.
As interesting as most of the book was, the last chapter I found annoying as it glossed over multiple topics, all of which pointed one to Lufkin’s website and ways to pay for more tests, information, etc. This seemed to undermine his authenticity a bit, as if the whole book was a sales pitch. And, of course, in some ways it is, but I don’t think that negates the earlier information. It’s just an unfortunate choice on his and his editor’s behalf.
Don’t want to read the book? Eliminate processed foods and instead eat proteins and olive oil/butter + vegetables. No artificial sweeteners. Lufkin suggests limiting eating to a short window during the day (one large meal vs. several smaller ones). I don’t think I’ll be able to adapt to this right away, but I have been trying not to eat after 6 pm (as my doctor recommended a few years back).
Ever since, I’ve read the occasional health/nutrition book to refresh my memory and refine/update my thoughts. And thus I picked up Lies I Taught in Medical School.
What I really appreciated about this book was all the biochemical information Lufkin provides about how what we eat affects us and potentially causes chronic diseases like diabetes, coronary issues, cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Many of the ideas were not entirely new but were worth hearing again or having reinforced under this new biochemical lens. Essentially, Lufkin says all of the above problems result from excessive sugar/corn syrup/carb intake and that the best way to treat chronic illness and prevent it from happening in the first place is to eat a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb diet. That’s it. Also, to limit the amount of time you eat each day, i.e. to fast, giving your body time to turn off its metabolic processes and to focus instead on cellular healing.
At least that’s my understanding of it.
As interesting as most of the book was, the last chapter I found annoying as it glossed over multiple topics, all of which pointed one to Lufkin’s website and ways to pay for more tests, information, etc. This seemed to undermine his authenticity a bit, as if the whole book was a sales pitch. And, of course, in some ways it is, but I don’t think that negates the earlier information. It’s just an unfortunate choice on his and his editor’s behalf.
Don’t want to read the book? Eliminate processed foods and instead eat proteins and olive oil/butter + vegetables. No artificial sweeteners. Lufkin suggests limiting eating to a short window during the day (one large meal vs. several smaller ones). I don’t think I’ll be able to adapt to this right away, but I have been trying not to eat after 6 pm (as my doctor recommended a few years back).
June 19, 2024
Very informative book written by a medical doctor. Although he isn't a pioneer in fasting, kudos to him for promoting a lifestyle that doesn't put more dough into big pharma.
I have read a lot of health books lately. This one is easier to digest compared to the two I read before. It covers the key research findings on health and longevity. It didn't bring anything new to the table for me, but it's always a good reminder. It's also relatively shorter and focus on maybe two or three key points. It also includes helpful advices and personal anecdotes and metaphors. It feels like I'm a little kid again and the kind family doctor is trying to change my behavior using cute little analogies.
What I really enjoyed is the accompanied study notes. I listened to the audiobook and didn't bother writing notes. The study guide is a handy refresher on all the important points without having be going back with pen and paper. I always appreciated when profs did that, thanks doc!
This audiobook took me two days to finish. It does a good job of convincing people to switch to a healthier diet and maybe try fasting. The author seems friendly and generally want what's best for you.
There are some of the main points:
- insulin is what matters when treating obesity
- fat is good; carb is bad
- most aging diseases are metabolic diseases: obesity, diabetes, hypertension
- modern diets that are high in carbs cause prolonged growth which manifests as metabolic disorders
- salt is not a cause for hypertension, instead focus on reducing sugar and alcohol
- cancer is not accumulated cell damage. Cancer cells act like single cell organisms when stressed.
- Alzheimer's is correlated with toxins like air pollutant, mold, pesticides, etc..
- mental disorders are correlated with obesity and diabetes. Diets might help
- the only drug that has an effect on age related diseases and longevity on mice and humans is RAPAMYCIN
- there are a lot of tests you can do, eg, biological clock lab test & CT coronary artery calcium score
I have read a lot of health books lately. This one is easier to digest compared to the two I read before. It covers the key research findings on health and longevity. It didn't bring anything new to the table for me, but it's always a good reminder. It's also relatively shorter and focus on maybe two or three key points. It also includes helpful advices and personal anecdotes and metaphors. It feels like I'm a little kid again and the kind family doctor is trying to change my behavior using cute little analogies.
What I really enjoyed is the accompanied study notes. I listened to the audiobook and didn't bother writing notes. The study guide is a handy refresher on all the important points without having be going back with pen and paper. I always appreciated when profs did that, thanks doc!
This audiobook took me two days to finish. It does a good job of convincing people to switch to a healthier diet and maybe try fasting. The author seems friendly and generally want what's best for you.
There are some of the main points:
- insulin is what matters when treating obesity
- fat is good; carb is bad
- most aging diseases are metabolic diseases: obesity, diabetes, hypertension
- modern diets that are high in carbs cause prolonged growth which manifests as metabolic disorders
- salt is not a cause for hypertension, instead focus on reducing sugar and alcohol
- cancer is not accumulated cell damage. Cancer cells act like single cell organisms when stressed.
- Alzheimer's is correlated with toxins like air pollutant, mold, pesticides, etc..
- mental disorders are correlated with obesity and diabetes. Diets might help
- the only drug that has an effect on age related diseases and longevity on mice and humans is RAPAMYCIN
- there are a lot of tests you can do, eg, biological clock lab test & CT coronary artery calcium score
March 9, 2025
I've listened to this author on many different podcasts. I like his overall message. He makes the point of highlighting recent research and studies that debunks what one might hear from their local doctor.
I like that there is food for thought here. He gives us 'the why' on what we are prescribed and how that is old school. He gives options for better results than a bunch of lifelong pills. Medication certainly has it's place, but is it really as simple as lifestyle change?
I'm placing this one on my immediate reread list. So 4 stars while I still mull some of this over.
I like that there is food for thought here. He gives us 'the why' on what we are prescribed and how that is old school. He gives options for better results than a bunch of lifelong pills. Medication certainly has it's place, but is it really as simple as lifestyle change?
I'm placing this one on my immediate reread list. So 4 stars while I still mull some of this over.
June 18, 2024
Honestly, if this guy tells me one more time about the attached pdf, I am going to scream. I counted them in a 60 minute period. 13 times. THIRTEEN TIMES in an hour. Dude, whoever thought this was a good idea in an audiobook should be horsewhipped.
This issue aside though, I think this is a decent enough book on the subject, but a long way from being the best. Avoid the last file (may or may not align with actual chapters) like the plague. It is full of endless repetition and self promotion. Over and over and over and over and over, he mentions the exact same site (his) and honestly, this just cheapens the whole thing and leaves a bad taste. I don't think I've ever seen an otherwise good book, so ruined.
BUT, these criticisms don't detract from the main thrust of the book, which can be summarised in a sentence. Cut down carbs, don't eat grain, or use seed oils. End of. Simple. Oh, and exercise. :)
Do editors exist any more?
This issue aside though, I think this is a decent enough book on the subject, but a long way from being the best. Avoid the last file (may or may not align with actual chapters) like the plague. It is full of endless repetition and self promotion. Over and over and over and over and over, he mentions the exact same site (his) and honestly, this just cheapens the whole thing and leaves a bad taste. I don't think I've ever seen an otherwise good book, so ruined.
BUT, these criticisms don't detract from the main thrust of the book, which can be summarised in a sentence. Cut down carbs, don't eat grain, or use seed oils. End of. Simple. Oh, and exercise. :)
Do editors exist any more?
August 31, 2024
Some new-to-me information to think about & research further. Toward the end of the book, I felt like I was listening to a long infomercial.
August 19, 2024
I’ve been following about 30 of the Health Professionals that Lufkin lists in the back of his book for over 7 years now. While I didn’t really learn anything new, reading this book was like the best booster shot. It reminds me of WHY I eat this way, and it is setting me back on track.
If you haven’t been ‘into’ this way of life this book is a perfect lead in. The answers are here but you have to do the work yourself. Lufkin has made that easy.
If you haven’t been ‘into’ this way of life this book is a perfect lead in. The answers are here but you have to do the work yourself. Lufkin has made that easy.
August 4, 2024
Carbs are bad. Try to avoid medications it’s treating the symptoms not the origin of the disease. I can’t agree more, but it is so hard not to eat the cake/ ice cream/ chocolate. Any way very good read. Don’t read at night you will loose sleep thinking about your mortality
December 11, 2024
I've been on a kick reading a lot of nonfiction regarding the medical establishment, nutrition, metabolic disorders and how to exercise as you grow older.
While this wasn't my favorite read of the year on those topics, I'm still glad I read it. The author recounts his time in medical school and how it failed to prepare him how to prevent illness. So much of medical care is just about bandaging the problem instead of discovering how to stop it from starting.
A good read especially if you have beginner knowledge of this topic.
While this wasn't my favorite read of the year on those topics, I'm still glad I read it. The author recounts his time in medical school and how it failed to prepare him how to prevent illness. So much of medical care is just about bandaging the problem instead of discovering how to stop it from starting.
A good read especially if you have beginner knowledge of this topic.
December 12, 2024
The author advises for fairly restrictive diets such as eating only one meal a day, or cutting out a third of our macronutrients (carbohydrates) which are essential for brain function (Mergenthaler P, Lindauer U, Dienel GA, Meisel A. Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function. Trends Neurosci. 2013 Oct;36(10):587-97. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Aug 20. PMID: 23968694). But, he isn’t an expert in dietetics (which he incorrectly uses interchangeably with nutritionist); he’s a radiology professor.
He glamorizes the keto diet but doesn’t mention how it stresses kidneys and liver, can elevate blood pH and cause ketoacidosis, etc. He lacks to delve into the importance of fiber in the body (which is absent or very low in a keto diet), and neglects to explore the POTENTIAL lack of fiber correlating to increased colon cancer rates in younger people (Kunzmann AT et al., Dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer and incident and recurrent adenoma in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):881-90. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.113282. Epub 2015 Aug 12. PMID: 26269366).
Additionally, he greatly stresses over diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, cancers, etc., but fails to discuss how dietary fiber greatly reduces the risk of developing these. Despite this, only around 5% of Americans eat enough fiber a day (Quagliani D, Felt-Gunderson P. Closing America's Fiber Intake Gap: Communication Strategies From a Food and Fiber Summit. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016 Jul 7;11(1):80-85. doi: 10.1177/1559827615588079. PMID: 30202317).
Many studies with mice are mentioned, with the author noting that these haven’t YET been reflected in human populations consistently. Then, he states that these results are promising and should replace conventional medical care, which is confusing. Humans are not mice, and if these treatments aren’t yet viable for humans, why promote it and state that it’s something “big pharma doesn’t want you to know”?
I understand the premise of the book and I do find some of the information valuable, but the way he presents his data (sharing what he agrees with while lacking the presentation of information that he disagrees with) causes my guard to go up and question if he has any ulterior motives, especially considering that the last chapter is riddled with plugs to his website
He glamorizes the keto diet but doesn’t mention how it stresses kidneys and liver, can elevate blood pH and cause ketoacidosis, etc. He lacks to delve into the importance of fiber in the body (which is absent or very low in a keto diet), and neglects to explore the POTENTIAL lack of fiber correlating to increased colon cancer rates in younger people (Kunzmann AT et al., Dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer and incident and recurrent adenoma in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):881-90. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.113282. Epub 2015 Aug 12. PMID: 26269366).
Additionally, he greatly stresses over diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, cancers, etc., but fails to discuss how dietary fiber greatly reduces the risk of developing these. Despite this, only around 5% of Americans eat enough fiber a day (Quagliani D, Felt-Gunderson P. Closing America's Fiber Intake Gap: Communication Strategies From a Food and Fiber Summit. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016 Jul 7;11(1):80-85. doi: 10.1177/1559827615588079. PMID: 30202317).
Many studies with mice are mentioned, with the author noting that these haven’t YET been reflected in human populations consistently. Then, he states that these results are promising and should replace conventional medical care, which is confusing. Humans are not mice, and if these treatments aren’t yet viable for humans, why promote it and state that it’s something “big pharma doesn’t want you to know”?
I understand the premise of the book and I do find some of the information valuable, but the way he presents his data (sharing what he agrees with while lacking the presentation of information that he disagrees with) causes my guard to go up and question if he has any ulterior motives, especially considering that the last chapter is riddled with plugs to his website
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
Key points:
* Remove sugar, grains, and seed oils from your diet. Correct nutritional deficiencies and remove toxins. Add in strength training and sleep.
* Eat more meat and fat. Eat almost no grains.
* Eat one or two big meals a day. Go longer periods without eating.
* Consuming animal fat lowers disease.
* Reduce your stress.
* Protect your sleep health.
* Exercise—not too much and not too little.
* Remove sugar, grains, and seed oils from your diet. Correct nutritional deficiencies and remove toxins. Add in strength training and sleep.
* Eat more meat and fat. Eat almost no grains.
* Eat one or two big meals a day. Go longer periods without eating.
* Consuming animal fat lowers disease.
* Reduce your stress.
* Protect your sleep health.
* Exercise—not too much and not too little.
December 10, 2025
This book has been a greater opener, putting in a clear understanding of the root base of all malaise, especially the chronic diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension, that are rampant, and always deemed life long conditions, when in reality, a few changes in life, applied consistently can reverse most of what we think is a life sentence.
Isn't it mind boggling how we ignore things that are spread across cultures and religions? For example, FASTING. I personally think God instructed the Israelites on fasting consistently because of the benefits it would accrue physically for them.
Your health is within your control, and the things that increase your health span so that your life span is better, are free and easily accessible
I'd recommend health personnel to read this, and challenge what has been drilled into our minds as the pathophysiology of these conditions. Not only these, but for every one who desires to have a longer health span. As we say, your health is your wealth.
Isn't it mind boggling how we ignore things that are spread across cultures and religions? For example, FASTING. I personally think God instructed the Israelites on fasting consistently because of the benefits it would accrue physically for them.
Your health is within your control, and the things that increase your health span so that your life span is better, are free and easily accessible
I'd recommend health personnel to read this, and challenge what has been drilled into our minds as the pathophysiology of these conditions. Not only these, but for every one who desires to have a longer health span. As we say, your health is your wealth.
March 3, 2025
Frustrating. This started off strong, providing great, informative details on the root cause(s) of chronic issues and things like the conflicts of interests that resulted in misinformation creeping into USDA / FDA guidelines - I found all this rather interesting. Then it cut to other equally important topics on mental health, Alzheimer’s, etc., but only at a surface level which seemed to diminish those conditions’ importance, in my opinion.
It ended with The Plan - essentially designed for the reader to live their healthiest life - which I ended up glossing over as it’s more of an advertisement of different diets / treatments / sugar replacements / etc… which seemingly runs counter to everything else being touted earlier on. Honestly, it left me even further disenchanted with our country’s healthcare system, with even less trust and faith in our medical establishments and professionals.
I really hate to say that, and let me clarify that I respect the physicians I do know as individuals. They do very important work with the best of intentions. It’s just rather telling when an overwhelming portion of a population is fearful not just of getting sick (that’s only natural), but of what a visit to a doctor or hospital in the US will entail (wait times, rushed visits where the patient doesn’t feel ‘heard’, diagnosis/misdiagnosis, unnecessary prescriptions, and everyone’s favorite - that hospital bill).
I firmly believe something needs to change about the training (and incentives structure!) of physicians in the US, so they are more educated and informed about the crucial role that nutrition / holistic wellness plays in one’s overall health, and are making decisions with the best interest of the patient in mind. It’s beyond frustrating the number of doctors that will just go running for a prescription pad. Beyond.
This book just solidifies my notions on all of that.
Okay, this went on much longer than I intended. My next book is about the history of Barbie - a welcome relief 🙂
It ended with The Plan - essentially designed for the reader to live their healthiest life - which I ended up glossing over as it’s more of an advertisement of different diets / treatments / sugar replacements / etc… which seemingly runs counter to everything else being touted earlier on. Honestly, it left me even further disenchanted with our country’s healthcare system, with even less trust and faith in our medical establishments and professionals.
I really hate to say that, and let me clarify that I respect the physicians I do know as individuals. They do very important work with the best of intentions. It’s just rather telling when an overwhelming portion of a population is fearful not just of getting sick (that’s only natural), but of what a visit to a doctor or hospital in the US will entail (wait times, rushed visits where the patient doesn’t feel ‘heard’, diagnosis/misdiagnosis, unnecessary prescriptions, and everyone’s favorite - that hospital bill).
I firmly believe something needs to change about the training (and incentives structure!) of physicians in the US, so they are more educated and informed about the crucial role that nutrition / holistic wellness plays in one’s overall health, and are making decisions with the best interest of the patient in mind. It’s beyond frustrating the number of doctors that will just go running for a prescription pad. Beyond.
This book just solidifies my notions on all of that.
Okay, this went on much longer than I intended. My next book is about the history of Barbie - a welcome relief 🙂
October 15, 2024
The title naturally inspires curiosity, "Lies I Taught in Medical School" delineates how Physician Dr. Lufkin resolved four chronic diseases in himself. Luftkin expounds the methodology used to achieve preferred outcomes. Chronic disease risk factors to consider: inflammation and insulin resistance. There is documented evidence of how connections help us. Robert Waldinger (TED) says, "Oh, I haven’t seen these friends in a long time, “So I try to pay more attention to my relationships than I used to.”
“Most of all, this book will tear the cover off the medical lies that I believed, that I taught, that eventually made me sick, and that I eventually began to question. You will learn the truths that saved my life and can save yours. It’s time to get healthy. Let’s go.”
—Robert Lufkin
There is much controversy with respect to the many claims and information contained this book. Through lifestyle choices and patient directed care, he attests that we do have agency in which to control our health---given we decide what we will eat, how much to sleep and what exercise to do on a circadian basis. By surrounding ourselves with positive people and places may reveal some surprising statistics that can (with application) meliorate health.
“Most of all, this book will tear the cover off the medical lies that I believed, that I taught, that eventually made me sick, and that I eventually began to question. You will learn the truths that saved my life and can save yours. It’s time to get healthy. Let’s go.”
—Robert Lufkin
There is much controversy with respect to the many claims and information contained this book. Through lifestyle choices and patient directed care, he attests that we do have agency in which to control our health---given we decide what we will eat, how much to sleep and what exercise to do on a circadian basis. By surrounding ourselves with positive people and places may reveal some surprising statistics that can (with application) meliorate health.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
was the author ever diagnosed with any conditions despite his diet? he never mentioned it in the book 🙄😆
i got 2/3 of the way through this book before i decided i had suffered enough. i picked this up blindly not knowing it was about metabolism/obesity/diabetes/etc., and it seems to be filled with the same information over and over again. some aspects were interesting, like obesity being about how your body metabolises insulin xyz, but it was overall repetitive. i also think this was just a book he wrote to spew about his own health anxieties, and a lot of it feels like fearmongering and misinformation. no, i will not ever be trying to Atkins’ diet, because i’m smart enough to know that humans need carbs to function. also the demonisation of fruit is crazy like bruh
i got 2/3 of the way through this book before i decided i had suffered enough. i picked this up blindly not knowing it was about metabolism/obesity/diabetes/etc., and it seems to be filled with the same information over and over again. some aspects were interesting, like obesity being about how your body metabolises insulin xyz, but it was overall repetitive. i also think this was just a book he wrote to spew about his own health anxieties, and a lot of it feels like fearmongering and misinformation. no, i will not ever be trying to Atkins’ diet, because i’m smart enough to know that humans need carbs to function. also the demonisation of fruit is crazy like bruh
November 30, 2024
Heavy skimming. What I got out of it is that Big Pharma and the AMA are in cahoots together to produce drugs instead of trying to actually treat the problem. Avoid sugars and processed foods. Soda is really really bad. All calories are not equal. Intermittent fasting is really good for you.
Unfortunately, I really really like soda. And sweets.
Unfortunately, I really really like soda. And sweets.
December 14, 2024
"Drug companies will pay me to talk about Alzheimer's drugs that don't work. Insurance companies will pay me to prescribe them. NO ONE will pay to teach that many patients can reverse disease with lifestyle changes."
The book covers a wide range of topics, and for that, my rating didn't factor in the errors.
This would make a nice journey of modern medicine that begins with Lies My Doctor Told Me and ends with Bad Pharma.
The errors:
I find it odd that the author understands that a calorie isn't just a calorie, but still doesn't understand calories.
The idea that you can get all your proteins and fats from plant sources is laughable.
Hypertension is not the cause of stiff arteries.
Salt does not harm the arteries.
The author doesn't know that the level for normal blood pressure was artificially lowered.
Carbohydrates are NOT the primary fuel source of the human body.
He doesn't understand fiber.
I'm not sure the chapter on longevity needed to be included in this book.
The end of one of the final chapters has a section called Recommendations, which all seem to have affiliate links. I recommend skipping that section.
The book covers a wide range of topics, and for that, my rating didn't factor in the errors.
This would make a nice journey of modern medicine that begins with Lies My Doctor Told Me and ends with Bad Pharma.
The errors:
I find it odd that the author understands that a calorie isn't just a calorie, but still doesn't understand calories.
The idea that you can get all your proteins and fats from plant sources is laughable.
Hypertension is not the cause of stiff arteries.
Salt does not harm the arteries.
The author doesn't know that the level for normal blood pressure was artificially lowered.
Carbohydrates are NOT the primary fuel source of the human body.
He doesn't understand fiber.
I'm not sure the chapter on longevity needed to be included in this book.
The end of one of the final chapters has a section called Recommendations, which all seem to have affiliate links. I recommend skipping that section.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
I loved this book…until I didn’t. A lot of good information and for someone like me who has spent my life learning as much as I can about health and nutrition I still learned plenty of new information. My problem is it concludes with the idea that eating a keto diet is the answer. I used to think it was a possible option for good health. All the latest and most trusted research shows it is absolutely NOT a long term solution for health and longevity. Keto can be used in certain situations with great results but must then be “cycled” out of to a whole food plant based diet. Eating cheese and meat on a daily basis is going to leave you with heart disease in the long run. I believe intermittent fasting is something all of us should be doing for longevity so I think he got that part right.
September 13, 2024
Seems like it purposefully misattributes causes to different things at times. I'm not sure if this is intentional or just at times poorly researched. For example, a reliance on a single staple crop (potatoes) was definitely a major contributing cause to the Irish potato famine, but the political realities of the English government forcing the Irish to export all their food is perhaps a more salient reason. The author tends to ignore any data that doesn't support their conclusions.
That's not to say that some of the conclusions are not valid and important (fat retention is definitely more than just calories in versus calories out), but it could be presented better.
That's not to say that some of the conclusions are not valid and important (fat retention is definitely more than just calories in versus calories out), but it could be presented better.
September 22, 2024
VERY deep dive into hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and the science behind fasting. If I was not a medical provider, I would have given up on it due to the level of science discussed. Fascinating insights! 🔬
April 3, 2025
I liked the general information in this book. But he is too extreme and makes extreme lifestyle changes seem like “no big deal”. And the end turned into an infomercial at the end. Wouldn’t recommenced unless you need some motivation to keep running like me 😂😂.
October 26, 2024
A worthwhile read for anyone who is questioning the "Medication Solves Everything!" message that many in the medical community are peddling. Lufkin, as he takes care to point out, isn't on the fringe or a practitioner of alternative medicine--he *is* the establishment. He is a doctor, a teacher of doctors, and, for this book, relying exclusively on studies coming from other "establishment" doctors and researchers.
What we eat (and when we eat) matters so much more than we have been told, and I'm glad that more and more medical professionals are coming to understand and share that.
What we eat (and when we eat) matters so much more than we have been told, and I'm glad that more and more medical professionals are coming to understand and share that.
January 30, 2025
"A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only wants one," (Confucius) It's obvious there is something wrong with the health in the Country with all the obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases becoming very common. I liked how the author discusses ways to correct these problems by how we eat and what we eat rather than going to the doctor and getting a prescription for the latest drug. Some parts of the book were more interesting than others, but overall, this is worth reading.
April 9, 2025
Another book about why a ketogenic diet is good for you.
The last chapter has barely any information. Mostly, he talks briefly about something, then refers you to a link on his website - either to get a code for $ off or to learn more.
The rest of the book does have information; it's just the last chapter. I think it would have been better to call that chapter "Resources".
The last chapter has barely any information. Mostly, he talks briefly about something, then refers you to a link on his website - either to get a code for $ off or to learn more.
The rest of the book does have information; it's just the last chapter. I think it would have been better to call that chapter "Resources".
August 4, 2024
The first half of this got me really motivated. The second half went right over my head.
September 11, 2024
A great summing up
I’ve read many books and articles about everything in this book. This reading experience brings it all together. Well said.
I’ve read many books and articles about everything in this book. This reading experience brings it all together. Well said.
January 3, 2025
Thanks! I hated it.
March 21, 2025
More science about the development of chronic diseases and the ways to manage it with nutrition, along with information about supplements and Rx meds.
April 17, 2025
An important book. Changed my perspective. Some impressive research, that has already produced some impressive results for me
July 18, 2024
This book is an excellent resource to use to better our overall health. He explained how he was slightly overweight. He has high blood pressure and was prediabetic. He shared how he knew he had to make a change. He started to avoid sugar, processed carbs and seed oils, and grains. He made a choice to skip breakfast and lunch. He was able to get off some of his medications. In the book, he explored the lies that he was taught in medical school. One of these was being about obesity and how a calorie is just a calorie. The most eye-opening chapters was about the plan. He stated how we can be healthy if we choose just when eat. He suggested eating only within an 8-hour time frame. This allows your body time to rest and help change your metabolic health. He also included tips on sleeping better and practicing relaxing techniques. He looked at brain exercise you can do to improve your brain. He encouraged readers to get regular exercise and tracking down how much you do. He shared how we can learn to manage our stress. When we are a pet owner it has been linked to longer health and can teach us unconditional love.
I would recommend this awesome book on all the lies he taught in medical school and how he covered diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, cancer, Alzheimer, and much more. It was very well researched and he shared studies and how things have changed in the medical field. The plan was very helpful in reversing and helping to prevent some of these diseases. I liked how he opened up about he made his own lifestyle changes to improve his health. What I noticed that was interesting is how actor, Josh Duhamel endorsed this book.
“I received this book free from BenBella Books for my honest review.”
I would recommend this awesome book on all the lies he taught in medical school and how he covered diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, cancer, Alzheimer, and much more. It was very well researched and he shared studies and how things have changed in the medical field. The plan was very helpful in reversing and helping to prevent some of these diseases. I liked how he opened up about he made his own lifestyle changes to improve his health. What I noticed that was interesting is how actor, Josh Duhamel endorsed this book.
“I received this book free from BenBella Books for my honest review.”
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